These notes cover the content of AC 1.5 for Unit 1 (changing awareness of crime) in Criminology (WJEC). Each topic has the structure outlined and concise notes for what is needed to achieve an A in this subject. Perfect for last minute revision :)
AC1.5 – Impact of Media Representation of the Public Perception of Crime
Definition How does it affect media perception? Evidence and link to question Positive or Negative Impact?
- Moral Panic – - Media Panic where the media - Mods And Rockers – Panic in 1964 - Negative as the public were
irrational overreaction exaggerates issues in society is the at Clacton where fights took place irrational which threatened the
by society high can cause of moral Panic - Due to media coverage another folk devil
create a false sense of - Can result in people targeting folk devil event took place at Brighton - Can result in a deviance
the true scale of the – A group who is targeted as they are which was exaggerated by the amplification spiral where the
crime seen as a problem and people target media crime continues to increase due
them (e.g. Manchester arena bombing - The amplification caused the to moral panic
led to an increase in Islamophobia – public to worry and panic which
media highlighted ’Islamic Terrorism’) increased the crime (deviancy
amplification spiral)
- Changing Public - The media coverage of certain crimes - Attack on Twin Towers (World - Positive impact in this case as
Concerns and leads to an irrational fear from Public Trade Centre) on September 9th, the Patriot Act was introduced
Attitudes – Public - E.G. knife crime, murder and sexual 2011 which monitored American
concern changes over offences - Resulted in American citizens citizens to prevent terrorism
time, these are fearing terrorism when it was very - New schemes can be introduced
influenced by the uncommon and the event was - Negative as there was an
media unlikely to occur again increase in racial profiling and
Islamophobia
- Perception of Crime - TV and Media often highlight large scale - Influenced by TV/Media which - Negative as it results in
Trends – During 2017, crime statistics such as murder and instils fear within people unnecessary panic from the
72% of people terrorism (particularly younger people) public
thought crime had - Can make it appear the crimes are of a - 2 in 5 teens worry about criminal - In cases such as knife crime,
increased when it had larger scale than they actually are behaviour teens were more likely to carry
actually decreased by - Irrational fear of crimes due to knives in order to protect
7% incorrect perception of crime themselves
trends
- Stereotyping of - Music causes people to stereotype - Music heavily influences the - Negative as people wrongfully
Criminals – The media what a criminal may look like stereotyping of criminals fear a group/individual
highlights the - Large images on TV and Media - Singers such as Johnny Cash sing - EG 13% of the US population is
common portraying the criminal – distorts the about drug use – leads to people black but 28% of people killed
characteristics of public view of what actually is a criminal associating them with that crime by police in 2020 were black
offenders
- Level of Response to - Often through social media people - Sarah’s Law – An 8 year old - Positive impact as new laws can
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